Food: I Can Eat it But Not Grow it?

The war against drugs has had some weird consequences. America has an incredible number of people behind bars for what, elsewhere in the world, is considered a minor offense or no offense at all. The U.S. spends incredible amounts to stop the importing, growing, creating, transporting, selling, and use of a whole number of substances.

From crystal meth to marijuana to ecstasy and opium law enforcement is on the case.

Which leaves me with a minor problem.

The problem isn't that I use drugs. I don't use drugs - not 'hard' nor 'soft'. I don't judge those who use drugs. Especially if they use them medicinally, or recreationally, and above all responsibly. I consider alcohol as much of a drug as most of the 'illegal' ones and I don't think everyone should stop drinking.

The problem isn't that I'm dead set against the drug war in its entirety and that I think all drugs should be legal. I'm split on the issue of legalization since I don't think any and all drugs should be legalized. I'm not particularly in favour of open unregulated legalization of everything.

No the problem is that I happen to like a food that is intimately related to an illicit drug. One that can set of false alarms on drug tests and happens to taste really good in pastry.

You see... I like poppy seeds and I'm not afraid to admit it. From just a sprinkling as a topping on bagels to the extremes of makowiec I'm a fan.

But the plants that make poppy seeds also make opium. All you need to know is how to turn a poppy from a nice flower into a drug producing plant.

Years ago Michael Pollan wrote about the problems and issues with poppies. As weird as it sounds it's only illegal to grow poppies if you know how to 'misuse' the plant. Otherwise they're just harmless flowers. You can read all about Opium Made Easy.

I just don't know if you're allowed to grow poppies in your garden after reading the article.

Sports: Beyond Being a Master

Some sports have their senior circuit or leagues. A place where the old guard can play against each other without the young whippersnappers getting in the way. Golf has the Champions Tour for athletes over 50.

In many disciplines you are considered a master at the age of 35 or 45. But what happens when you go even older?

Bruce Grierson wrote The Incredible Flying Nonagenarian in The New York Times which looks at someone who's well beyond being a typical master. Olga Kotelko is continuing to set records in track and field at the age of 91.

There's always someone out at the edge of the bell curve. Someone who's health, stamina, capabilities, and abilities put almost everyone else to shame. Olga is such a person. Not everyone will turn out as healthy and athletic as Olga. Hopefully though she'll help us learn how more of us can be that fit and healthy that far into life. In the meantime she'll just keep amazing us with her feats.

Language: Without Speaking Any Words

It seems like a silly question at first. Then you think about it for a moment and how profound the question is hits you.

How do deaf people think if they can't 'hear' words in their heads? What language do they use and how does it work?

 The answer is quite interesting. Here are two attempts to describe the answer. First here is the Cecil Adam's take from The Straight Dope. The second one is How Deaf People Think from Today I Found Out.

It just goes to show that the human mind is incredibly resilient and powerful. Remove the ability to hear and it still finds a way to think and acquire language.

Math: A Classic Reborn

All the talk of the long S last week reminded me of a classic math book. Actually it's a classic version of a classic text.

Euclid's Elements is a 13 book classic on geometry and math. In 1847 Oliver Byrne created a version of the first 6 books in which he used colours to indicate the different elements in a drawing instead of using letters and other labels. A scanned public domain version of the book is available thanks to the Mathematics Department of the University of British Columbia.

It may take a few minutes to get to used to the long Ss but after that... it's relatively smooth sailing. Now why didn't texts like this end up as part of my education?

Does it Require That Much Discussion?

We all have to do it sooner or later. It may be an almost daily occurrence in a large household or for those souls who live alone it can be a very rare task. It doesn't matter how long it takes but sooner or later we are all faced with the simple task of replacing the toilet paper.

Yes sooner or later the roll runs out and a new one needs to be put on the toilet roll holder. Which seems like a minor task. At least it does until you're faced with a simple question.

Under or over?

You may not have a preference. You may not care. Or you may be one of those people who have a passionate proponent of one orientation or another.

Or... more sadly you may be in a household where you are of one mind and others are of the other persuasion.

In which case, though I'm not sure it will help, may I recommend logical arguments and dispassionate discussion? If you need some ideas and more background... Wikipedia has a page to help you understand the dilemma of Toilet paper orientation.